Day 00
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda.

Day 01
Singapore – Haneda – Toyama
(-/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar
 
Start off your trip with a spot of shopping at Mitsui Outlet Park Hokuriku Oyabe. This two-storey outlet mall houses 173 shops carrying trendy Japanese and foreign fashion brands, famous sports brands, fashion accessories and gourmet food. As Hokuriku’s first outlet mall, it also sells a variety of local products from the region.
 
After indulging in shopping, we will stop by at Takaoka Kojo Park, the former site of Takaoka castle. All that remains of this demolished castle is its moat and some stone walls, but the park continues to be a popular spot for locals, especially during cherry blossom season. Around 1,800 cherry trees of 18 varieties stand in this park and are especially beautiful when reflected in the water of the moat.

Day 02
Toyama – Okuhida
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hodakaso Sangetsu (hot spring) or similar
 
This morning, take a strollround the old-style streets of Takayama. The many traditional shophouses are pleasant to stroll down and bring a feel of olden Japan. Be sure to visit the popular morning market, one of the top three in Japan. Consisting of two sites, the market has been running for hundreds of years and sells all sorts of local products. Pick up a few souvenirs and sample some local snacks and produce here.
 
After lunch, ride the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway up into the clouds! The unique double-decker cable cars will bring you on an ascent of over 1000m up the side of the Hotake Mountain Range as you take in the surrounding views. At the top, 2,156m above sea level, let the panoramic view of the still snow-capped Northern Japanese Alps take your breath away!

Day 03
Okuhida – Matsumoto
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hotel Buena Vista Matsumoto or similar
 
Wasabi is an essential accompaniment to sushi and sashimi and today, you will see how it is grown. At Daio Wasabi Farm, Japan’s largest wasabi farm covering 15 hectares, rows of wasabi plants are irrigated using natural spring water from the Northern Alps. Wasabi lovers should not miss out on the trying the wasabi soft serve and other wasabi-themed products available here.
 
One of the most beautiful and complete of Japan’s original castles, Matsumoto Castle is one of four castles designated as National Treasures of Japan. It’s unique black exterior has earned it the name of “crow castle” while its well-maintained interior provides insight into history. In spring, Matsumoto Castle is an especially popular cherry blossom spot as hundreds of cherry trees line the castle moat. 

Day 04
Matsumoto – Nozawa Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Ryokan Sakaya (hot spring) or similar
 
Take a walk around Obuse Town this morning, an artistic town known for chestnuts and sake. Stroll down Obuse’s chestnut path, lined with traditional white-walled houses with tiled roofs and brick chimneys, taking in the romantic feel of the town. As the last residence of Japan’s premier ukiyo-e artist, Hokusai, his art can be seen at the Hokusai Museum and Takai Kozan Memorial Museum.
 
Located at the base of a mountain, Togakushi Shrine consists of a lower, middle and upper shrine, each housing different gods. A short hike is needed to reach the upper shrine, but the pathways lined with 400-year-old cedar trees and towering Mt. Togakushi in the background make the walk particularly beautiful.

Day 05
Nozawa Onsen – Echigonagano Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Rankeisou Inn (hot spring) or similar
 
We will take a drive through the Uonuma Skyline, a 20km long scenic road between Tokamachi and Minamiuonuma. The road has many observation points along the way providing spectacular panoramic views of the mountains, gorges and rivers that it passes. Enjoy the splendour of nature as it passes by outside your window!
 
Learn to appreciate Japan’s national fish, the Koi, at this next location. Nishikigoi Village is a facility built for the enjoyment of these beautiful fish. You can learn about the different varieties and breeding methods of Koi and spend some time watching them weave colourful patterns as they swim freely in aquariums and garden ponds.

Day 06
Eichigonagano Onsen – Sado
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Ryokan Urashima or similar
 
We will take a Jetfoil to Sado Island this morning! Travelling at a speed of 80km/h, the Jetfoil will provide a smooth and speedy ride across to Sado Island in little more than an hour. Sit back and relax as you ride above the waves!
 
Our first stop on the island will be the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. Formerly the most productive mine in Japan producing almost 400kg of gold, along with some silver and copper, the mine today allows visitors to walk through the mining tunnels. Life-sized displays show scenes of life in the mines, and a museum provides detailed information about the conditions, tools and techniques used.

Day 07
Sado
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Ryokan Urashima or similar
 
Start off with an activity this morning at Shiozu no Sato! Offering various activities ranging from crafts to cooking, including noroma puppet painting, soba-making and stonework, you will have a hands-on cultural experience here.
 
After visiting the gold mine yesterday, try your hand at panning for gold at Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park today! Situated on the site of the former Nishimikawa Gold Dust Mine, you can try panning for gold at a beginner, intermediate or advanced level. The gold that you find can then be made into accessories which you can take home with you.
 
Take a ride on a tub boatnext in a Taraibune Boat Experience. The Taraibune, created in the Meiji period, are more stable than regular boats in rocky waters and are used on Sado Island for collecting shellfish and seaweed. Enjoy riding in on one of these boats in the blue waters, and perhaps you might be able to try steering one yourself!
 
End your day by learning how to play the Japanese taiko drums at the Sado Taiko Centre. Under the tutelage of world-renowned taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo, even first-timers will be able to experience the unique joy of playing the taiko together.

Day 08
Sado – Niigata
(Breakfast/Lunch/-)
Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Niigata
 
You will bid Sado Island goodbye this morning and take the Jetfoil back to the mainland where a trip to the Tsubamesanjo Jibasan Centre is in store. Tsubamesanjo is a major production centre for metal products and you can find a huge variety of cutlery, houseware and other metal ware here. In addition, local specialities like sake, rice and confectionary are available, so pick up some souvenirs before heading home!

Day 09
Niigata – Narita - Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-)
 
Flight back to Singapore

COACH TOUR (GOLD)
Assemble date:   10 Apr, Tue (SO12749)

Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
10Apr     NH 844      Singapore - Haneda    
2215 / 0630*1

11Apr     NH 313      Haneda - Toyama
0755 / 0855

19Apr    NH 3240    Niigata - Narita
1430 / 1535

19Apr     NH 803      Narita - Singapore          
1700 / 2315

Tour price per person (in SGD)
Group size:   15-19 pax
Adult twin share $5,950; Adult triple share $5,850
Child twin share $5,950; Child with bed $5,450
Child no bed (Age 4 & below) $1,450
Group size:   20 pax & above
Adult twin share $5,450; triple share $5,350
Child twin share $5,450; Child with bed $4,950
Child no bed (Age 4 & below) $1,450

Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Meals as stipulated in itinerary
Comprehensive travel insurance

Tour price excludes:
Air tickets
Airport taxes & fuel charges (Estimated, subject to change)
Visa application fee (if any)

Remarks:
The prices are subject to change upon fluctuations of currency exchange rates. 
Flight schedule and the sequence of the itinerary are subject to change with or without prior notice to ensure the smooth running of the tour.
Minimum group size to confirm tour is 15 adults/children with bed. 
Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.